By DOTTY NIST
Gary Shipman, president of the Walton County Small Business Association (WCSBA) commented on Nov. 12 that he and other representatives of the organization had been meeting with county officials and staff for discussions on the blue-ribbon committee that the WCSBA has requested. The committee would review several ordinance proposals recently put forth by the county that organization members believe could have a negative impact on small businesses and would seek solutions to related problems.
Shipman said he had found “frankly shocking and amazing” remarks made by Walton County District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows at the Nov. 7 Walton County Board of County Commissioners meeting. The remarks were made when Shipman had come forward to address the BCC and ask for the formation of the blue-ribbon committee.
Shipman said he found Meadows’ statement that she had not seen most of the WCSBA members at a county commission meeting before objectionable and not supportive of citizens’ right to participate in county meetings and make requests to their commissioners on concerns.
He also expressed objection to Meadows’ referring to the proposed blue-ribbon committee as a “Lloyd Blue ribbon committee.” Blue is a local business owner and developer.
Shipman noted that Blue is not on the WCSBA board and does not attend board meetings. He said Blue is a member of the organization as a business owner. “Lloyd Blue doesn’t run this organization,” Shipman said.
County commissioners will consider approving the blue-ribbon committee and determining its membership at their next meeting, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 26 at the Walton County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs.
